Open Houses at homes for sale in Sussex County NJ have averaged 2.5 parties for quite some time. A party might be 1 person, a couple or family of 5 - one potential "home buying" unit. Our Opens are for 4 hours and I mine quite seriously. Lots of advance publicity, newspaper ad with a photo, tons of signs with balloons.
No rhyme or reason - sometimes I still get skunked. Yep, no visitors at all. Discouraging for both me and the owners of the home for sale in Sussex County. At one of my very initial Open Houses in Sussex County (Branchville to be precise), I had a woman visit who was quite interested. We looked at many other homes before she purchased the one where we met. This lovely lady is a local real estate attorney and we've referred business to one another ever since. In fact, she recommended me to the seller of the Franklin NJ ranch home where I did an Open House on Sunday, August 9.
The Sussex County NJ real-estate gods must have been smiling down on me that day. Due to begin at 1:00 p.m., I arrived at 19 Scott Road in Franklin NJ 45 minutes early. Wanted to turn on the lights, open windows, arrange flyers, set up a beverage station, etc. A car followed me up the driveway, so I gladly gave the couple a leisurely tour of this home for sale. They departed shortly before 1:00 - but 3 other parties pulled up immediately!
Now I'm a very good and very experienced real estate agent. (Also very modest!) No way, however, can I give each potential buyer of a home in Sussex County the attention he or she deserves when an Open House is so busy. My husband Chip is also a real estate agent, so I called him to come help. Hadn't even finished showing Chip the home when the next few parties arrived!
We had 14 parties at this Open House in Franklin NJ, several of whom were seriously interested in it.
The best news, however, is that one couple returned as I was closing up my Open House to say they needed to buy the home! The seller accepted their offer 24 hours later - having considered it and a second that was submitted on Monday. We're now Under Contract and have completed the home inspection.
I'm now getting ready to help the buyers rent or sell their current home in Stockholm NJ. Plus I'm helping several of those other Open House visitors find the right home. Textbook example of the power of an Open House!
Irene,
Not fair, driving up the prices in Sussex County before I come back.
Rich
First of all, welcome back...I've missed your posts. This is great news...I've only been hearing negative about open houses. I'm happy to hear they can still be so successful. Sounds like you did a great job publicizing it.
Now you are what I call a GREAT real estate agent. I understand that having a beautiful area to sell in doesn't hurt. Good for you.
Open houses are a great way to meet new buyers. Yahoo
Congratulations. You are that 1% of folks who find a buyer at an open house. OK, I made up that stat...
Irene, I remember when I worked for Weichert, that Jim Weichert was really big on Open Houses - done the right way. Between the mailings and the gaudy yellow balloons and the bright signs all over the place, we usually packed them in. Now that I'm with a company with more tasteful, though subtle, signs, I sorta miss the yellow. It says to people "slow down and watch where you're going."
Irene - Just when I was thinking open houses attract nosey neighbors and tire kickers, you come along and smack one out of the park. Cheers on your success. Might have to rethink my strategy
Rich - I'm not driving prices up, I'm giving away homes every chance I get!
Sharon - Thought of you this weekend when Chip and I passed through Portsmouth twice. We had to scurry to a memorial service on Squirrel Island, Maine. I dearly would have loved to take you to lunch - coming or going!
Kenneth - You make me blush. Thanks for your kind words!
Harry - Although I'm not always so fortunate, this one does deserve a Yahoo!
Gary - I make stuff up all the time too! Trust me, this was rare enough to deserve a post.
Pat- Didn't know you had been part of the "big yellow machine." Jim Weichert IS big on Opens - much more so than I am. Honestly, this is the first time I've packed them in to the point of needing help. Partly due to being in a rural area but I've had plenty where I've been as lonely as a Maytag repairman.
Claude - I have listings where even the sellers don't want me to do Opens anymore because no one shows up. This home was priced in the low-end range Sussex County NJ buyers are snatching up and it was just listed. Yeah, it was a home run but I don't count on lightning striking too often. Even this hasn't convinced me to fill up all my Sundays with Opens, so continue to be most selective!
Hi Irene -- Congrats on the sale!
Chris,
Thanks so much. Hope such lightning is striking for you in Cleveland!
Congratulations on a successful open house and thanks for visiting my blog. It seems that in these times it takes agents, such as yourself, who are dedicated to doing the job they are hired to do. Many agents today want to practice part time real estate and the "Three P's"........Place a sign in the yard, Put it in MLS and Pray!! I applaud your dedication to the career.
Damon,
Love the "Three P's!" I'll have to remember that one.
It would have been wonderful to meet you in person. I'm sorry you were traveling for such a sad reason. Another time, I'm sure!
I look forward to it, Sharon!